Method for treating gases



July 7, 1936. B M. CARTER I l 2,046,500

METHOD FOR TREATINGA GASES Filed Aug. l1, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 96 WET ams /M #1:; Fl'grj.

:1I :s: 86 o? 50 ".'z' '9 7 49 'J 4 9 f4 5g f6 55 f9/ n f5 57 M 30 iff; DRY/NQ J2 l Ac/D BJVI. C after July 7, 1936. B M CARTER 2,046,500

METHOD FOR TREATING GASES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed Aug. 11, 195o MOISTURE INVENTOR 3M. Carter MO/STu/fE CoA/TA//v/NG ...75 BY meh/GAS ATTORNEY July 7, 1936. B, M', CARTR 2,046,500

METHOD FOR TREATINGGASES if?? m41 Z9? sa l 9 8 85 85 84 INVENTOR B M, Carter BY 7J@ ATTORNEY4 Patented July 7, 1936 ATNT FFHQE METHOD FOR TREATING GASES Bernard M. Carter, Montclair, General Chemical Company,

N. J., assignor to New York, N. Y.,

a corporation of New York Application August 11, 1930, Serial No. 474,458

8 Claims.

This invention is directed to a process and apparatus for conducting reactions involving the contacting and intimate admixture of a gas and a liquid. The invention is of general application for treatments involving physical andfor chemical interactions between liquids and gases, and includes, for example among others, treatments in solvent recovery, ammonia absorption, nitric acid absorption, sulfur burning, and the drying of gases such as air and sulfurous gases. One phase of the invention is particularly directed to the drying of gases, and for convenience only, the invention will be described in connection with the treatment or drying of suliurous gases prior to the utilization of the same in the manufacture of sulfuric acid.

Heretofore, the drying of sulfurous gases, prior to employment of the same in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, has been commonly effected by passing the gas upwardly through a drying tower suitably packed with quartz or tile against a counter-current flow of sulfuric acid which is caused to trickle down over the packing in the tower. It will be understood that the primary problem in such drying operation, and in fact in all such processes involving the intimate contacting of a gas and a liquid, is to obtainv a uniform distribution of the treating liquid throughout the treatment zone, and to secure an intimate and sufciently prolonged admiXture of liquid and gas. Uneven distribution of treating liquid gives rise to channeling, the result of which is poor contacting of gas and liquid as a whole, and ln manyinstances, total lack of contact between some portions of the gas and liquid. As noted, such treatments,` particularly the treatment and drying of gases by acid, have been usually conducted by counter-current iiow of liquid and gas. Varying degrees of rsatisfaction have been obtained in the drying of gases Vby acid, by the provision of a comparatively large number-of distributing pipes and nozzles in the top of a drying tower or treating chamber. Such equipment, to obtain a satisfactory distribution of liquid to any extent, necessarily involves the utilization of a large number of liquid or acid outlets, such outlets being individually of small cross-section. From time to time, the acid or liquid outlets of small cross-section become clogged and stopped up by foreign material in the liquid. The result is a cessation of liquid or acid flow through such outlet or outlets with the consequent channeling in treating chamber, and the passage of gas therethrough without subjecting the same to the action oi the treatingliquid. Corrosion of the necessarily lightly constructed liquid outlets frequently results in leakage and introduction oi sizable acid or liquid streams into the treating chamber, and such liquid then becomes mechanically entrained in the gas stream and gives rise to difficulties further on in the process.

The present invention aims primarily to provide a process by which a more even distribution of a treating liquid through a given treating or reaction zone may be obtained, and by 10 which an intimate and evenly dispersed mixture of liquid and gas may be initially secured and subsequently maintained throughout the period of contact of the liquid and gas. Briefly, the invention comprises the introduction of a gas and a liquid, for example a gas to be dried such as a sulfurous gas, and a drying agent such as sulfuric acid, into a reaction chamber or drying tower, initially forming an intimate mixture of the gas and the liquid by causing the liquid to be evenly dispersed throughout the gas stream, and then prolonging the contact of the gas and the liquid by passing the gas and the liquid in co-flow -relation through the treating chamber. The invention further comprehends in a general Way the improved method of forming an intimate mixture of a gas and a liquid which includes the introduction of a sheet of liquid into a stream of rapidly moving gas in such manner as to intersect the gas stream, and substantially simultaneously on the initial contact of the gas and liquid causing an expansion and a decrease in velocity of the gas stream, and an increase in dispersion of the particles thereof to thus eiect an initial mixture of gas and liquid and a substantially complete dispersal of liquid particles throughout the gas stream.

The invention is further directed to the provision of apparatus for eiecting the improved process, the apparatus being of such simplicity 40 of design and composed of so few operative parts, that the same may be solidly and ruggedly constructed in such manner as to reduce maintenance to a minimum, and to eiect great economies in primary installation costs.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following description `When taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a composite vertical section of the 50 drying tower. That portion of Fig. 1 below the line A-A is a vertical section on the line B-B of Fig. 2; and that portion of Fig. 1 above the line A-A is a vertical section on the line C-C of Fig. 2.

Fig. v2 is a plan view of the drying tower.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a composite vertical section similar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged. vertical section of a distributing valve.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The tower I0 comprises a cylindrical steel shell or body II welded or otherwise attached at its lower edge to a circular base member I2, and provided at its upper edge with a horizontally disposed flange member I3 riveted or otherwise secured to the steel shell. The drying tower may rest on any suitable support as indicated 1at'I4. The shell I I is lined on the sides and bottom with a layer Vof chemical lead I5. It will be observed that the upper edge of lead lining I5 extends above the upper edge of the steel shell, and is flattened out to'form an annular rim covering the upper surface of the flange I3. vWithin the lead lining I5, the steel shell is further lined with a layer of acid-proof brick, indicated generally at I6. VThe brick lining is secured and held in place by a layer off cement I'I, composed for example of a mixture of silicate of soday and silex, interposed between the lead lining and the .outer faces of the bricks. The bottom of the tower is covered with a comparatively heavy layer I8 of acid-proof brick. It Vis tobe observed that the bricks I9 in the lower section of the cylindrical portion of the tower are placed horizontally, andthe bricks running to the top of the shell II are set on edge. The upper layer of horizontally disposed bricks I9 provides a circular ledge 28 which affords ya support for the outer circumference of the outer grille barsZI. The brick lining in the upper section of the tower terminates at the top end of the steel shell I I.

The tower is provided with a manhole 22 the Vcasing 23 of which is set in cement into `the lower wall of the tower and suitably riveted to the shell II. At the opening in the tower wall 'n for the manhole casing 23, thelead lining I5 is Vprojected inwardlyraround the inner end of the casing 23, and thence outwardly throughout the inside of the casing to provide a lead lining for the same. The outerl end of the lead lining of the manhole casing 23 terminates in an annular flange 24 covering the end flange of the. casing 23. The lead-lined manhole cover 25 is detach-v ably held in place by suitable clamps or bolts not shown. The drying tower is provided at its lower ends with the gas outlets 26 and 2l, and the acid outlets 28, 29 and 39. The casings forming the gas and acid outletsare set into the lowerwall of the tower in a similar manner as described in connection with the manhole casingy 23. v

The circular bearing ring is arranged as shown in Fig. 1 and rests on suitable acid-proof brickwork 36. An annular groove 3l is cut into the upper surface of the ring35 and is adapted to receive the lower ends of the several sections of the center grille support indicated Ygenerally at 38. .The center grille support 38'is made in separate sectionsof a size convenient for handling, which when assembled in place on theY bearing ring 35, as shown in.Fig. 1, affords suitablegsupport for the inner rends of theouter grille bars 2I,-and for thecenter grille bars 39. As

shown, the sections of the grille support 38 have formed on their upper ends the inner and outer Vledges 48 and 4I. The ledge 4I forms asuppori;

for the inner ends of the outer grille bars 2|, andthe inner ledge 40 provides a support `for the center grille bars 39.

The grille bars may be of any suitable kconstruction. The outer bars may comprise a series of individual bars each supported at its ends by ledges 20 and 4I, or for convenience, the outer, grille bars may be formed in a series of segmental portions indicated generally as at 42 in Fig. 3, In the present embodiment of the invention, the center grille bars 39 are all cast together in a single circular unit 43. The grille bars', the grille vbar support 38 and the bearing ring 35 are all made of some such suitable material, duriron for example, which is substantially unaffected byY the action of the acid and gas in the'drying tower.

The tower is providedl with packingindicated Y generally at 44. The packing may consist of spiral tiles stacked on the grille bars in any suitable manner, and extending from the grille bars upwardly to within. a few inches ofthe upper edge of the steel'shell II. y i VThe cylindrical section of .the tower .is surmounted by Va. steel cone-shaped top indicated generally VVat 45. The lower edgeof the top 45 has welded or otherwise xed thereto the horizontally projecting flange 4B which, in conjunction with the several bolts 41, affords means for connecting the cone-shaped top tothe shell'II. The upper end of the cone-shaped top member 45 terminates in al substantially cylindrical section 48 having attached to its upper edge a horizon- V5", the lower circular edge of which is clamped between the flanges I3 and 46. The lead sheeting extends upwardly, and` thence outwardly through the manhole 58 and the acid inlet pipe opening 5I. VThe flanges on the ends of the outwardlyyprojecting lining portions are so arranged as to permit clamping the same Vbetween the manhole cover 53,ange 52' and-'betweenV the Vpipe flange 56 and the ange 55. At the upper end o f the top member 45, the lead lining doesV not follow the contourof the cylindrical portion 48, but continues itsupwardcone-shaped formation as indicated between the points 58 and 59, and ends in a horizontally disposed circular flange which is clamped betweenY the ilange 49 and the ring 60. Thelead lining between the.v points 58 and 59 is supported by suitable lead ribs,v not shown, kso as to maintain the approximate conical formation as shown in the drawings. The upper circular end of theapproximately cone-shaped lead liningmay be considered as defining the inlet of theV drying tower.

The lead flue 6I, the transverse cross-section of which is continuously diminished as,` the end. of, the flue is approached, terminates inV a horizontally projecting-circular ange 62 'which is clamped together withV the ange on the upper end of the lead lining of lthe cone-shaped top of Y the tower between the ange 49 and the ring Bil.

having on its outer end a flange 66 affording means for connecting the pipe 65 to an acid or other liquid feed line. 'I'he acid inlet pipe is provided with a collar portion 61 forming a seat for the inlet pipe fiange 56. As shown in Fig. 2, the ange 56 comprises two sections 68 and 68, the sections including cooperating flanges 16 and 1|, each having semi-circular portions which are adapted to seat on the collar portion 61 of the pipe 65. 'I'he two sections 68 and 69 are bolted together by bolts 12, and thus form the unitary flange member 58. The inner side of the flat face of the flange 56 and the inner sides of flanges 1U and 1| are lead lined as indicated in Fig. 1.

A projection 15 formed on the lower side of the inlet pipe 65 registers with a seat 16 cast with and forming a part of the acid inlet pipe supporting bar 11. The supporting member 11 is a single bar having on either end projections 18 which are adapted to rest in and be supported by the lower circumference of the manhole 58 and ,the opening as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

vThe inlet end of the pipe 65 includes an upwardly extending section 85 terminating in the rounded annular lip 8| which cooperates with a distributing Valve indicated generally at 82, for introducing the acid or other liquid. into the tower in the form of a cone-shaped sheet.

The construction of the acid distributing valve 82 and the manner of its association with the inner end of the acid inlet pipe is clearly shown in Fig. 5. The distributor proper, indicated at 83, is preferably of porcelain and has on its lower side an inverted cone-shaped appendage 84 which serves to split the incoming liquid stream. The cone-shaped surface of appendage 84 spreads and forms the concave portions 85, the outer circumference of which seats on the rounded lip 8|. The projections 84 provide guides to keep the valve centered in all vertical adjustments.

Vertical adjustment of the distributor 83 is effected by raising the stem 86. The lower end of the stem 86 has attached thereto a short transverse pin 81. The porcelain distributor 83 has a slotted opening 83 in the top thereof which is adapted to receive the lower end of the valve stem 86 and the transverse pin 81. To attach the stem to the distributor 83, the pin on the lower end of the stem is inserted in the slot 83 in the upper face of the distributor, rod 86 is pushed downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5 and then given a quarter turn so that the pin 81 becomes seated in a recess 88. A short pin 89 is then inserted in one end of the slot 83 and driven down to the bottom of the recess 88. The pin 89 Vthus prevents the removal of the stem from the member 83. After the Apin 89 is set in the slot, the latter is lled with molten sulfur, which solidies and closes all open parts of the slot and the recess 88. After the rod 86 is secured in place, the lead apron 98 is arranged as shown in Fig. 5, and serves the double purpose of acting to protect the joint between the rod and the distributor member, and to split the gas stream entering the drying tower from the flue 6|.

The valve stem supporting plate 85 is held in the position shown in Fig. 1 by three bracket members 95 having on their upper and lower ends the horizontally projecting portions 81 which afford means for connecting the brackets 96 to the ring 56 and the plate 95 respectively. The plate 95 is bored at the center to slidably receive and support the Valve stem 86. The upper end of the Valve stem 86 is threaded into an internally threaded sleeve bearing on plate 95 and formed integrally with the hand wheel 98. The stem 86 is longitudinally slotted to receive a short stud or key projecting inwardly from the edge of the bore in the plate 95 to prevent rotation of the valve stem. A stung box |55 is formed on the upper side of the inlet flue 6|, as shown in Fig. 1, to provide for admission of the valve stern to the center of the gas flue. The stung box |58 is packed with any suitable material such as asbestos rope, to prevent the passage of gas therethrough.

In connection with Fig. l, it will be recalled that the cone-shaped top member 45 is constructed with a lead lining 51. This lead lining is quite adaptable for use in apparatus where the gas being dried in the tower is treated with a comparatively weak acid, that is, an acid of a concentration of say something less than 66 B. When a stronger drying acid is used, such lead lining would be unsuitable for use over an eX- tended period of time because such lining would be slowly corroded, and accordingly require frequent shutting down of the apparatus for the purpose of making necessary repairs. In circumstances where it is desirable to use a stronger drying acid, it would be necessary to construct the cone top 45 of some material which is unaiected by the stronger acid. This diiiculty could be met by constructing the top 45 of duriron or some suitable substance which is substantially unaffected by strong acids. It will be understood, however, that apparatus of the type described is comparatively large, and that the vertical dimension of the cone top 45 would, in most instances, vary between 3 and 5 feet. It will thus be obvious that a top member of such dimensions made of duriron or other resistant material would be a large item of expense in the construction of the tower. To overcome this difficulty, and still accomplish the objects of the invention, the modified form of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 4 has been devised. The construction shown in Fig. 4 is such that substantially the same dispersion of the gas and acid may be'obtained in the top of the tower without employing the full cone top as in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 4, the general construction of the tower |84, the acid inlet pipe, the gas inlet iiue, the distributing valve and the associated parts is substantially as already described in connection with Fig. 1. In Fig. 4, the line D-D indicates approximately the upper surface of the packing in the tower. 'Ihe cylindrical steel shell |85 is extended vertically upward and has affixed to its upper edge a horizontal ange |85. rlfhe tower |84 is provided with a lead lining |91 similarly arranged as lining I5 in the tower The lining |01 is extended to the top of the tower |04, and folded over to cover the upper surface of the flange |86. The acid-proof bricks |88 are held in place by a layer of cement |88, interposed between the bricks |88 and the lead lining |01. The brickwork extends to the top of the tower. The upper end of the tower is provided with a manhole H5 and an acid inlet pipe opening The interior of the casings forming the openings ||8 and are lead lined as described in connection with the openings 58 and 5|, of Fig. 1. The linings in the manhole I8 and the acid inlet pipe opening terminate in annular anges arranged to be clamped between the flanges ||2 and ||3 and the manhole cover ||4 and the acid inlet pipe ange H5. The pipe yflange H5 is constructed similarly to the flange 55 of Fig. 1 except, of course, that it is arranged to be disposed at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inlet pipe 55 of Fig.Y 4. It will lbe observed that the inner end of the pipe 65 is held in place by a supporting bar TE in the same manner as in the construction of Fig. 1. AThe upper end of the drying chamber is closed 01T by the circular top H8 attached to the cylindrical section of the tower by a series of bolts H9.V The cover H8 is provided at its center with an opening l2() formed by the short upwardly extending cylindrical portion l2l, terminating in a horizontally disposed ange |22. The underside of top H8 is protected by the lead sheeting H8. The inlet flue 6I is of the same conguration and constructed as in'Fig. 1, and terminates at its lower end in the flange G2 which, as in Fig. 1, is clamped between the ilange E22 and the ring B0. Ring 6] and theV flange 22 are bolted together as indicated in the drawings. The construction of the distributing valve 82, the' means for adjusting it, and the supporting plate 95 are as in Fig. 1.

It will be recalled, with reference to Fig. l, that VVthat portion of the lead lining between the points 58 and 59 forms a part of the gas inlet passage. In the construction of Fig. 4, this portion of the gas passage having a constantly increasing crosssection is provided by the approximately frustoconical collar or conduit section 625. The section |25 includesl a circular flange 626 which is adapted to be clamped between the flange E22 and the ring 60, and thus held in the position shown in Fig. 4. This conduit section l25 is preferably madeof duriron or some such material which is substantially unaected by strong acids.

For convenience, the operation of the improved 'process will be described in connection with the drying of sulfurous gases prior to the utiliza-'- tion of the same in acid.

Referring to Fig. l in particular, the tower I0 is suitably packed in the manner familiar vto those skilled inthe art so that the top of theV packing reaches to within a few inches of the top of the brickwork l5. All of the drying acid is introduced into the tower by Vgravity feed through the acid inlet pipe S5. The rate of flow of acid into the pipe B5 may be regulated by a suitable valve, not shown, in the acid feed line. 'Ihe gas ue 6l is connected to a source of supply of sulfur dioxide Vcontaining gases. It will be understood, of course, that the tower l0 is simply one unit of an entire plant, comprising, as is known in the art, the usual sulfur burners or roasters, gas purifiers, heaters, converters, heat transferrers, absorbers, etc. For the purpose of example, it will be assumed that a comparatively weak acid is being used in drying the gas. Hence the cone top 45 as constructed in-Fig. 1 with the lead lining 5l may be employed.

It will be observed that the gas inlet conduit 6i has a normally comparatively large cross-section. minishes sharply in cross-section as it approaches the inlet of the cone top until at the actual point of connection with the inlet of the cone top d5, the conduit is of a minimum'and materially rethe manufacture of sulfuric stricted cross-section. The cone top 45, tdgetherv with that comparatively small portion of the rcyrlindrcal tower above the packing therein, may conveniently be designated as a gas-distributing section, the horizontal cross-section of which increases at a rapid rate throughout substantially However, the end of the conduit El di-V such a construction in a gas 'passage causesr'a gradual increase in 'velocity in the gas stream passing therethrough which reaches a maximum at the point of minimum cross-section of the gas passage. Y passage again increases beyond the constriction,

As the cross-section offthev gasv the velocity of the gas stream decreases, and the gas stream tends to expand rapidly with a correspondingly increased dispersion of the gas stream.

As previously explained, and as will be fully appreciated from a consideration of Fig. 5, the result of the construction of the distributing valve 82 and its relation with the outlet end of the acid pipe is such as to effect an introduction of acid into the tower in the form of a coneshaped'sheet in an instance wherek no gas is passj ing the constricted portion of the gas passage.

The quantity of liquid in the liquid sheet itself is dependent upon the adjustment of the valve 82 with respect to the end of the pipe 55. The spread or horizontal dimension of the Vcone of liquid or acid is such that the liquid sheet intersects substantially the entire gas, stream when' gas is passing the inlet into the tower. Y

In practice', gas to vbe treated, particularly where the invention is utilized in the drying of sulfurous gases, passes through the most yconstricted section ofV the gas inlet passage at a velocity Varying between say 40 and 100 linear feet per second. The valve 82 is adjusted so asl to admit the desired quantityrof acid necessary to dry gas passing through the tower.- It will be noted that the Vdistributing valve is located substantially in the most restricted portionr of the gas inlet passage. When both acid and'gasare flowing, the velocity of the gas stream is greatest at the most restricted portion of the gas passage, and substantially immediately on contact of thegas stream and the acid, the cone of acid is broken up into a very fine spray, and the particles of Yacid in the form of spray are dispersedrand spread out evenly through the entireY cross-section of the gas stream. This thorough' admixture of liquid and gas is further materially promoted by the constantly increasing cross-section' of the gas stream as the same expands during its passage through the cone-top. It is thusapparent that the invention is such that bythe time the gas and liquid strike thetop layer of packing, the'admixture of the two is so thorough andthe dispersion of the liquid in the gas so complete that the liquid and gas take substantially the Vform of a heavy mist. Once this thorough admixture of gas and liquid is eiected, the two pass in co-flow relation through the tower, passing down over the packing into the acid and gas yseparation chamber beneath the grille bars. Here the acid and gas separate, the gas leaving the tower through the outlets 25 and 21 and the acid draining out of the tower through outlets 28, 29 and'30. y

In the present invention, the gas leavingthe tower il! may be vpassed through ltwo scrubbing 'Y The gas passes upwardly through the scrubbers which are each of suitable vertical dimensions and suitably 'packed to afford sufficient opportunity forl the'separation vof entrained particles of liquid from the gas stream leaving the dryingtowerl. A a

During the process of formation of the mixture of liquid and gas in the cone top, conditions there-V in are readily observable through the sight glasses |28 set in the cone top 45. This is of particular advantage as the condition or the'mixture can be observed and adjusted before passage of the mixture through the packing.` In prior methods and apparatus, thelconditions'of drying were not determinable in advance, and improper drying conditions were only discovered further on inthe process after detrimental-results were already incurred.

The operation ofthe process during the employment of the equipment disclosed in Fig. 4 is substantially the same as that already described in connection WithFig. 1. As noted, the primary purpose of the construction shown in Fig. 4 is the elimination of the necessity of utilizing a cone top made of some expensive vresistant material such as duriron. Where a strong dryingacid is used, the employment of some suoli material is necessary because the lead lining 5i' of Fig. l would not be sufliciently resistant to strongeracid. The 'most constricted portion of the gas inlet passage in Fig. 4 is at the joint between the ue 6l and the collar or conduit section |25, or in other 'wor-ds, at 4the inlet of the tower, the same as in the construction of Fig. 1'. The collar 125 extends do-Wn into the chamber of the tower suiciently to fully initiate the admixture of liquid and gas which proceeds to completion in the distributing section of the tower above the packing and before the mixture of gas and liquid reaches what may be termed the body portion of the tower or reaction chamber.

The underside of the top H8 and the inside of the casings forming the manhole l I 0 and the acid inlet pipe opening l I I are sumciently protected by a lead lining as there is no direct contact between these parts and the acid and gas mixture. The inlet pipe 65 and the supporting bar Tl are made of duriron or some similar resistant material as in the construction of Fig. 1. As in the apparatus of Fig. 1, conditions within the mixing zone above the packing stacked in the chamber may be readily observed through sight glasses suitably arranged about the circumference of the upper end of the shell.

I claim:

1. The method of effecting intimate contact of gas and liquid which comprises introducing into a contacting chamber, of initially restricted and of sharply increasing cross-sectional area, a stream of the gas of restricted cross-sectional area and flowing at a relatively high linear velocity at the point of introduction into said chamber, flowing the gas stream through a path defined by said chamber and having Va sharply increasing crosssectional area and extending a substantial distance beyond the point of introduction of the gas into said chamber, dispersing liquid particles in the gas stream substantially immediately after initiating the increase in cross-sectional area of the gas stream, distributing the gas stream containing the dispersed liquid particles over an area many times larger than that of the said restricted cross-sectional area, and ilowing the thus dispersed liquid particles in contact with said gas stream for a substantial period of time.

2. The method of treating gas With a liquid comthe action of the.

5 prising forming in a treating chamber, of initially restricted and of sharply increasing crosssectional area, a dispersion of the gas and liquid by introducing into the treating chamber at the point of said restriction a constricted stream of the gas and initiating a decrease in velocity and an increase in dispersion of the gas stream substantially at the point of introduction of the gas stream into said chamber and continuing` the decrease in velocity and increase indispersion of the gas stream for a substantial distance beyond the point of introduction into said chamber, dispersing liquid particles in the gas stream substantially immediately after initiating said decrease in velocity and increase in dispersion of the gas stream, then distributing the gas-liquid dispersion over an area many times larger than that of the gas stream at its constricted point, and owing the dispersed liquid particles in contact with gas for a substantial period of time.

3. The method of treating gas with a liquid in a treating chamber of initially restricted and of sharply increasing cross-sectional area comprising introducing liquid into a stream of the gas while constricting the gasstream to create velocity thereof to substantially completely break up the liquid stream and disseminate the liquid particles, immediately owing the gas stream and the contained liquid particles through a path defined by said chamber and having a sharply increasing cross-sectional area and extending a substantial distance beyond the point of initial admixture of gas and liquid, said liquid being introduced into the gas stream substantially immediately after initiating the increase in crosssectional area of the gas stream, then distributing the dispersion over an area many times larger than that of the gas stream at its constricted point, and owing the dispersed liquid particles with the gas for a substantial period of time.

4. The method of effecting intimate contact of gas and liquid which comprises introducing into a contacting chamber, of initially restricted and of sharply increasing cross-sectional area, a stream of the gas of restricted cross-sectional area and iiowing at a relatively high linear velocity at the point of introduction into said chamber, iiowing the gas stream through a path defined by said chamber and having a sharply increasing cross-sectional area and extending a substantial distance beyond the point of introduction of the gas into said chamber, dispersing liquid particles in the gas stream substantially immediately after initiating the increase in crosssectional area of the gas stream, distributing the gas stream containing the dispersed liquid particles over an area of packing material in said zone many times larger than that of the said restricted cross-sectional area, passing the liquid and gas in co-iiow relation through the packing, and then separating the liquid and gas.

5. The method of eiecting intimate contact of gas and liquid which comprises introducing into a contacting chamber, of initially restricted and of sharply increasing cross-sectional area, a stream of the gas of restricted cross-sectional area and owing at a relatively high linear velocity at the point of introduction into said chamber, owing the gas stream through a path dened by said chamber and having a sharply increasing cross-sectional area and extending a substantial distance beyond the point of introduction of the gas into said chamber, introducing the liquid, in the form of a cone-shaped sheet having the apex directed against the flow of the distance beyond the point of introduction ofthe stream of the gas of area and flowing at a relatively high linear Veloc' gas, into the gas stream substantially immediate.-V 1

lyY after Vinitiating the increase in cross-sectional area 'of the gas stream, 'distributing Ythe gas stream containingvthe dispersed liquidgparti'cles overan areal ofpackingmaterial in said zone many times larger than that of the said restricted cross-'sectional area, passing the liquid and gas in co-iiow relation through the packing, andA separating the liquid and gas.

6. In the Vmethod of drying sulfurous gases with sulfuric acid, in a Adrying zone, the improvement which comprises introducing into the contacting chamber, of'initially restricted and' ofr sharply increasing crosssectional'area, a' streamof sul-v furousgasof restricted cross-sectional area and flowing atl a relativelyl high linear velocity at the point of introduction into said chamber, oWing they gas stream through a path deiined by said chamber and having a sharply increasing cross-sectional area and extending ay substantial gas into said chamber, dispersing sulfuric'v acid particles in the' gas stream substantially im# mediately after initiating the increasein crosssectional area' of the v,gas stream, distributing the gas stream containing the dispersed acid particles over an area many times Vlarger than thatof the said restricted cross-sectional area, flowing the Y thus dispersed acidparticles in contact with said l gas stream .for a substantial period of time', and then separating the acid and gas. 'z

f' 7'; The method of effecting intimate contact of gas and .liquid which comprises introducing into a lcontactingchamber, of initially restricted and of sharply increasing cross-sectional area, a restricted cross-sectional ity at the point of introduction into said cham# ber, iiowing the gas stream through apath de-V r, and having a'sharply increasing lcross-sectional area and extendingwa substantial distance beyond thepointoffintroduction of the gas into said chamber, introducing ned by; Seid. hamb mto the gas, under the influence. of gravity flow, Y a stream of liquid and dispersing liquid particles in the gas stream substantially immediately after Y initiating Vthe increase in cross-sectional area of the gas stream, distributing ,the gas stream conftaining thedispersed liquid particles over an area many times larger than that'oi the said restricted cross-sectional area, and flowing 'the thus dispersed liquidparticles in contact with said gas stream for a substantial period of time.

8. 'Ihe method of treating gas with a liquid in a treating chamber, of initially restricted and of sharply increasing cross-sectional area, rcorn'- prising introducing liquid into a stream of the gas Whilev constrictingv the gas stream to create velocity thereof to substantially completely break up the liquid stream and disseminate'the liquid particles, immediately flowingkv the gas stream and thecontained liquid particles Vthrough a path deiined by said chamber and having a sharply increasing cross-sectional area and extending Va substantialdistance beyond the point of initial admixture Vof gas and liquid, said liquid being introduced i to the gas stream substantially immediatelyafter initiating the increase injcross- BERNARD M, CARTERQ f that ofthe gas stream at its 

